The question on everyone’s mind for this weekend’s Stage 1 of the MY/SG/PH Championships: “What’s the play?”
Especially as the deck choice we make will be used throughout the championships until the finals – so the results from the upcoming EUIC will not matter.
I caught up with our European correspondent Malik Hisyam Zaihan to talk about the top decks in contention as he waits for his flight to Germany to attend EUIC, and we recorded a podcast! Buuut due to a technical error on my part, we can’t publish it sadly.
Here’s a recap about what we spoke about:
Mew VMAX
The top deck choice for the Championships, mainly because it’s a Bo1 format and it’s probably the most stable deck out there.
It also has the biggest target on its back so in my opinion, it’s no longer on the top of the ladder – Arceus VSTAR decks can pack enough counters to take them down.
Marnie seems like it is a “must” now (shoutout to fellow Battle Fest Asia 2021 SG rep Bryan for using Marnie since that tournament) because of the baby Galarian Moltres in Arceus VSTAR decks – by disrupting their hand so it is difficult for them to chain another baby Galarian Moltres.
Another big shout is Peony – makes it easier to find Power Tablets to take OHKOs against Mew VMAX and Arceus VSTAR, and helps you find a Stadium to get you out of Path to the Peak.
Arceus VSTAR / Inteleon
Probably the new BDIF, Malik and I both agree that we will see a 50/50 of Arceus VSTAR with Mew VMAX in most standard tournaments, be it at EUIC or the Championships.
The version with Inteleon is the most stable, and the addition of at least one copy of Galarian Moltres (not the Pokemon V) helps the deck dominate the Mew VMAX matchup – as long as they have taken three Prize cards, Galarian Moltres becomes unstoppable.
Some decks may include Crobat V and Crobat VMAX too – the VMAX helps not only against Mew VMAX, but also against Malamar too.
Arceus Bird Box (and other possibilities like Lycanroc VMAX and Lucario VSTAR)
The Bird Box variant is much more favourable against Mew VMAX with Galarian Moltres V (and some do play Hoopa V too), but has a slightly tougher match against the Arceus VSTAR / Inteleon version because of Cheren’s Care and Dunsparce – making it difficult for Galarian Zapdos V to take easy OHKOs.
But we do have to shoutout Lycanroc VMAX – 190 damage plus 30 more to the Bench could be a game changer, able to slowly get rid of Benched Dunsparce, plus its Weakness to Grass-type is a great advantage.
Also look out for another possible partner, Lucario VSTAR!
Malamar
Most Malamar players have taken to adding Boss’s Orders to help their matchups, but whiffing 1-2 copies of Rapid Strike cards to take OHKOs can be a big bummer. Arceus VSTAR players with Crobat VMAX can easily feed non-Pokemon V, while Mew VMAX players can play around with Oricorio once all the Scoop Up Net are played, so that the Malamar player can’t use Cynthia’s Ambition. There’s Psychic Leap too, if the Malamar player can’t take the OHKO.
Only choose this deck if you’re really comfortable and can setup well.
Jolteon VMAX
This is a deck that seems like its 50-50 against the top two in the meta, and is the one deck that is able to consistently hit a Marnie + Path to the Peak to keep disrupting opponents.
Malik did mention that Mew VMAX players play many outs to Path to the Peak – Rotom Phone and Cram-o-Matic, or just drawing right into a Stadium. While Arceus VSTAR players can drop their other Stadium to bump it away when they need to use their VSTAR.
But in the right hands, and being able to see a turn or two ahead, Jolteon VMAX could be a sleeper pick for the Championships.
Gengar VMAX (and other Single Strike variants)
Speaking as a Mew VMAX player… don’t play this deck 😂.
I am scared as this is an auto-loss, but Single Strike decks do have one big problem – inconsistency. While Gengar VMAX can play the Marnie + Path to the Peak combo, they can also end up being stuck with a bad hand too.
I’ve seen an opponent play two Battle VIP pass but still end up with a dead hand. Then, there’s also the possibility of meeting Galarian Zapdos V on the other side of the table.
Suicune V (and Entei V)
Another great deck to look out for, when the board state is complete with Suicune V, Ludicolo, and enough Shady Dealings, it can beat anyone. But Tool Jammers and Tool Scrappers are becoming a thing again to deal with Suicune V’s Cape of Toughness, plus it be inconsistent too – as you’re forced to use Melony as your Supporter for turn if you miss an attachment.
A possible replacement is Entei V – it only needs the Magma Basin Stadium card to charge an Energy, plus it has access to Heat Fire Energy for extra +20HP. The best part is you can use another Supporter for turn like Boss’s Orders and Professor’s Research. Could be a big shout.
Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX
Winner of the Liverpool Regional Championships, I see Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX as one that could take it all – you can go original recipe with Inteleon and Medicham V, with Darkness-type Galarian Moltres V to fight Mew VMAX, or with Arceus VSTAR (which I used in a recent Battlegrounds video, inspired by a Top 16 Taiwan Champions League list).
Malik noted that after Medicham V’s Yoga Loop (targeting Dunsparce), you can use Raihan – bypassing your opponent’s turn and hitting Weakness damage on an Arceus VSTAR. Pretty sick play if you can pull it off.
The Galarian Moltres V version is quite inconsistent, so we agreed that if you’re choosing Rapid Strike Urshifu VMAX, go with the original or play with Arceus VSTAR.
Closing Thoughts
If this is your first Championships, my advice is to play the deck you’re most comfortable and used to playing. It’s better to play to your best ability and don’t make misplays (of course, even better if the deck is a top tier contender).
Malik says that you should go with your gut – you know yourself best and if you have a deck in mind and you’re confident of running it well, then that is the play.
The Southern Islands 